Returning champs face tough tests in 2012 Arizona high school football playoffs

A defending champion gets nothing.

Not one single advantage other than maybe the aura of being the champ. But most opposing coaches use that to their advantage anyhow.

Apparently, hoisting the trophy was enough.

It's most clear this year in Division I, where Desert Vista has probably the toughest draw of any of the five defending champions. The Thunder, seeded sixth after going 8-2, face a tough No. 11 Basha team in a rematch of last year's semifinals and a victory probably means a rematch with state runner-up Hamilton, which handed Desert Vista one of its regular season defeats.

"With the number of great teams in the state right now there are going to be some great first-round games and the second round will be everybody playing everybody," Desert Vista coach Dan Hinds said. "We will go into it with the mindset that we will have to beat some great teams to get back to the championship."

Only one of the defending champions is a No. 1 seed and a clear-cut favorite, but that's the case just about every year with Blue Ridge, which is in Division IV as coach Paul Moro goes for his 13th state title since 1987.

Chaparral is a seventh seed in Division II, Saguaro is No. 9 in Division III and Yuma Catholic is the fifth seed in Division V.

Here is a quick look at each playoff race before it kicks off on Friday, and be sure to visit our page of playoff brackets from around the country. You can find the Arizona playoff brackets as well.

Division I

Favorite: No. 1 Mountain Pointe (Phoenix) – The Pride have talent and speed all over the place. They can run, pass and score in moment's notice with Jalen Brown and Garette Craig doing most of the damage. Defensively, they are on the smallish side but quick to the ball and coach Norris Vaughan has these guys believing.
Contender: No. 3 Hamilton (Chandler) – The Huskies' defense will be the key. They've locked down everyone, including No. 2 Desert Ridge, on their schedule other than one pass by Mountain Pointe that tied the game late in an eventual loss. The offense is the hang-up. It hasn't been as efficient in years past, but Hamilton always seems to put it together at the right time.
Darkhorse: No. 4 Brophy College Prep (Phoenix) – The Broncos were the preseason No. 1 for many only to lose to Santa Margarita (California) but also Red Mountain in September. They were dominated for a half against Mountain Pointe before coming out of halftime as a different team. If that team continues to show up, the Broncos may be unstoppable.
Best first round game: No. 11 Basha (Chandler) at No. 6 Desert Vista (Phoenix) – The Thunder are the defending champions and have shown some defensive bite in recent weeks and they'll need it against explosive Basha, which remembers last year's semifinal loss to Desert Vista all too well.

Division II

Favorite: No. 1 Salpointe Catholic (Tucson) – The Lancers beat Chaparral and Ironwood Ridge. Good enough for us. Of course, a second meeting won't necessarily go as well, but having Cameron Denson and Johnny Pena pushes the balance of power toward Salpointe.
Contender: No. 4 Centennial (Peoria) – The loss to Ironwood Ridge in Week 6 notwithstanding, Centennial, when healthy, has some of the state's best talent and Richard Taylor-coached teams seem to know how to win in November.
Darkhorse: No. 7 Chaparral (Scottsdale) – There was too much transition early in the year with a boatload of new starters and a new head coach in Dave Huffine. The switch to senior quarterback Brad Schencker took the offense to a new level and it just might lead to another matchup with Ironwood Ridge in the semifinals.
Best first round game: No. 9 Mountain View (Tucson) at No. 8 Cienega (Vail) – This is a rematch of a Week 5 matchup that saw Mountain View win 21-19 when quarterback Cody Rochon ran 28 yards for a touchdown with 2:39 left.

Division III

Favorite: No. 9 Saguaro (Scottsdale) – Yes, John Sanders and DJ Foster are gone, but Jason Mohns and Luke Rubenzer are doing just fine. The low seed stems from the fact that the new seeding system doesn't account for playing larger division opponents Desert Vista and Chaparral, which accounted for two of their three defeats. The Sabercats will be there in the end.
Contender: No. 2 Queen Creek – Junior Matt Guida is approaching 2,000 yards rushing so scouting the offense won't be hard for opposing defenses, but stopping it is another thing. The defense is even more impressive, posting five shutouts and hammering out nine games with eight points or less allowed, as Drake Danielson and Dejon Thompson apply pressure.
Darkhorse: No. 1 Desert Edge (Goodyear) – The state's least-talked about top seed will have a chip on its shoulder, but will most likely get a chance to prove its worth with a second-round game against Saguaro. You have to beat the previous champ to be the champ, after all.
Best first round game: No. 10 Thunderbird (Phoenix) at No. 7 Maricopa – Maricopa has had a great year, as former Mountain Pointe quarterback Caleb Buck has made a difference. Thunderbird was a surprise champion two years ago and if the Chiefs are going to have a similar run they need to have the offensive line step up and contain a Maricopa pass rush that has 28 sacks.

Division IV

Favorite: No. 1 Blue Ridge (Lakeside) – The most consistent and dominant team in the state regardless of division annually didn't reach its full potential until the end of the year when Arizona State recruit Chans Cox was finally healthy. Now that he is, Cox and Co. should give Paul Moro his 13th state title.
Contender: No. 2 Show Low – Chances are for the fourth-straight year, Show Low and Blue Ridge should meet in the title game. The Cougars might be the only team that can hang with Blue Ridge and probably should have beat Blue Ridge in Week 9 if it weren't for five turnovers.
Darkhorse: No. 3 Seton Catholic (Chandler) – The Sentinels love to throw it under coach Rex Bowser, and DDavid Gesicki just might be the division's top quarterback. Any team that can put up points the way Seton can has a chance to knock off anyone.
Best first round game: No. 13 Payson at No. 4 Snowflake – Payson has one of the tougher schedules for a non-White Mountain program in the state. The Longhorns have been beaten up, but it also mean Payson is playoff tested. Snowflake has handled everyone other than the two best teams in the division, but if they are off just a bit Payson might sneak past them.

Division V

Favorite: No. 1 Northwest Christian (Phoenix) – Last week's loss to Tempe Prep was the slap in the face coach Dave Inness and his team needed. It's a different team than the one that made the last two title games, but that doesn't mean the Crusaders can't make it back.
Contender: No. 3 Tempe Prep – Clearly, the Knights can hang with Northwest Christian after beating them 21-20 last week. Tempe Prep loves to run the ball so when it gets a lead it'll bleed the clock in a hurry.
Darkhorse: No. 5 Yuma Catholic – This program has made the last two finals, splitting games with Northwest Christian, and expects to defend its title. It doesn't have the easiest route with Scottsdale Christian in the second round and Northwest Christian in the semifinals, but coach Rhett Stallworth loves a challenge.
Best first round game: No. 11 Benson vs. No. 6 Thatcher – Benson gets a shot at redeeming itself against Thatcher, which won 28-13 in Week 8.

Jason P. Skoda, a former Arizona Republic and current Ahwatukee Foothills News staff writer, is an 18-year sports writing veteran. Contact him at jskoda1024@aol.com or 480-272-2449.